Oct 18, 2014 2 min read

Civil Air Patrol’s Washington County Squadron 601 will host its annual open house for interested youth and adults from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Frank Sarris Library, 35 N. Jefferson Ave., Canonsburg.

CAP’s training, educational opportunities, missions and cadet programs will be explained. Squadron 601 members include students and adults from throughout Washington County and surrounding areas.

CAP is a volunteer, civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force that provides emergency and search-and-rescue services, aviation and aerospace education, youth leadership programs and more nationwide.

CAP is a nonprofit organization founded by Congress that offers those 12 and older the opportunity to learn leadership skills that will help them better serve their communities and nation.

Training includes flight time, search-and-rescue techniques for missing persons and downed aircraft, land navigation, radio communications, safety and first aid. Cadets can use their training time toward community service and earn college scholarships.

Capt. Edward Silassy of Canonsburg, commander of Washington Squadron 601, has been a member of the organization since 2009. He said membership in the Civil Air Patrol is a good way to serve the Canonsburg community and the nation.

“The cadet program is structured to teach young men and women to become productive adults and effective leaders for tomorrow,” he said. “Our senior member program helps develop skills for our adult members that they can take into everyday life, as well as providing an opportunity to watch and help the cadets grow. CAP members, young and old, benefit in a variety of ways from their training to aide their community in times of need.”

Washington Squadron 601 meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at the National Guard Armory, 125 Goodridge Lane, Washington.

For more information, email Silassy at ESilassy@comcast.net or Lt. Peggy Secunda at lt.secunda@gmail.com, or visit https://sites.google.com/site/pasquadron601/.